Airports doing nothing to stop fake Ubers charging R25,000, and 10 train stations reopened in one province

The Vaal Aerozone is now seeking environmental authorisation to begin construction on a brand-new international airport south of Johannesburg.

The airport will be built across 13 farms in the Emfuleni local municipality, approximately 9km west of Vanderbijlpark and the N1 freeway.

Valued at R22.6 billion, the project aims to establish a new aerotropolis in the region, including an airport, freight and logistics hub, solar farm, and trade and agricultural zones.

Meanwhile, oil prices rose today on signs that the US will resume military strikes against Iran, further disrupting energy flows from the region.

Brent Crude rose to more than $116 per barrel after US President Donald Trump repeatedly indicated he would restart strikes against Tehran after the midterm elections next week.

Similarly, Iran indicated it would not back down from its position on ending the war. Brent Crude rose 12% in October, reaching a six-month high.

5 important things

R115 million to reopen 10 train stations in one province: The Department of Transport has reopened 10 refurbished train stations across the Eastern Cape, a milestone in the government’s efforts to rebuild passenger rail infrastructure vandalised during the COVID-19 lockdowns. [TopAuto].

ACSA doing nothing to stop fake Uber drivers charging R25,000: Airports Company South Africa is aware that fake Uber drivers are picking up visitors from Cape Town International Airport, but has yet to implement any serious measures to combat the practice aside from posting warnings at entrances, most of which have been torn down. ACSA said it takes these reports seriously and has implemented measures to raise awareness [MyBroadband].

FlySafair sold to the same investor that manages South Africa’s only private international airport: South Africa’s highest antitrust authority approved private equity firm Harith General Partners’ proposal to acquire budget carrier FlySafair. Harith also owns a stake in Lanseria International Airport, and the regulator will implement conditions to ensure fair treatment of competitors. [Daily Investor].

New driving laws for 151 municipalities: Transport Minister Barbara Creecy confirmed that phase 3 of the Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) system is still coming, though she was unable to provide an exact timeline. The rollout began on 1 July 2026, launching in 62 municipalities; however, the remaining 151 have yet to be added [BusinessTech].

VW calls for cost cutting after profits tank: Volkswagen’s Chinese joint ventures experienced a loss in the first nine months of 2026, leading to calls to cut costs in a market that was previously one of the biggest drivers for the brand’s growth. VW is also facing pressure from US tariffs, Chinese competitors in Europe, and low profit margins on EVs. [Bloomberg].